windsurfing who died suddenly in France has been described as one of life’s good guys.
Farrel O’Shea, who was originally from Wellington, Shropshire, but moved to the Gwynedd coast in the 1980s, was a pioneer in the sport and a successful businessman.
The 60-year-old wrote an influential guide to windsurfing and founded the O’Shea surfing and windsurfing brand, which was based in Pwllheli.
He developed some technical moves in the sport and held the British speed record, at 51.2 knots – about 59mph or 95kmj.
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Zara Davis, who holds world records in speed windsurfing, was with him at an event in La Palme, southern France, when he was taken ill walking up the beach on Sunday.
He had just broken another record, for the discipline of wingfoil.
“He died doing what he loved,” she said.
Ms Davis added: “Farrel was my mentor, my inspiration and my friend.
“He had a clever, dry wit and never failed to make you smile.
“He was generous to all with his time and unrivalled knowledge of speed windsurfing, a true legend of the sport.”
She said Mr O’Shea loved water sports and a cup of tea “possibly in equal measure”.
“He was deeply loved and will be missed by so many family and friends around the world
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